| SYLVESTER FIGHTS BACK - About 150 residents of Sylvester are suing Elk Run Coal over coal dust from its
operations that they say covers their homes and cars. The company placed their processing plant a few hundred feet from the
town limits. The residents have refused to leave their town.
Fighting the problem since 1997, they filed a multi-million dollar suit. After two months of testimony, it is now before a six
person jury who will decide the case.
PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE POOR IN WV - Fewer West Virginians have prescription drug coverage than
residents in most states, according to the Attorney General's office.
About 50 percent of the state's seniors have drug coverage, compared to about 75 percent nationwide.
The study was conducted by Elizabeth Eagan at Harvard School of Public Health, based on data provided by the West
Virginia Hospital Association for 1999-2000.
Attorney General Darrell McGraw says the results suggest West Virginia needs intervention in the prescription drug market
to protect the public health.
BUSH TAX CUT COULD COST STATE MILLIONS -
If President Bush's proposal to eliminate the federal tax on stock dividends is approved by Congress, West Virginia could
lose up to 20 million dollars a year.
West Virginia links its tax code to the federal tax code.
SENATE WANTS ATV CHANGES -
The bill to require some new safety measures for ATV riders in the state is expected to spark debate on the floor of the state
Senate. Numerous amendments are being crafted to add from the floor.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Jeff Kessler says the amendments were so numerous they had no choice but to hold
the bill over.
Senate President Earl Ray Tomblin says there is concern over certain aspects of the legislation that involve private property
rights. The core issue is related to those who believe West Virginians should be allowed to do as they please on their own
property.
Under the current version more than 20,000 miles of paved West Virginia roads are fair game for riders. ATV
manufacturers advise against any travel on a paved surfaces.
MALPRACTICE PROBLEMS - West Virginia doctors are threatening to leave if certain provisions are not included on a
malpractice bill. Governor Bob Wise says the State Senate needs to do more work on the measure.
The Senate Finance Committee passed a bill Tuesday which includes several major tort reforms, but cuts out the financial
package for doctors. An amendment eliminated a House of Delegates-backed Personal Income Tax credit. Physicians say
this amendment is not acceptable.
Gov. Wise says the Senate's plan will leave doctors in the same crunch they have been in for months. .
WORKERS COMP BILL COMPLICATED - The State Senate Judiciary Committee has started work on a controversial
and complicated workers compensation reform bill that even supporters believe will make both labor and business angry.
Lawmakers are under pressure to fix the state's program for paying workers who are injured on the job, because the system
will go broke in about 18 months.
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